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By Nelson Espinal
Contributing Sports Reporter
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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is moving to a new position in his second season playing at Citi Field as the team starts to take shape for 2026.
The Mets made multiple changes to the team in an attempt to build a better defensive unit that can limit runs, unlike 2025, when the team struggled to field consistently.
As a result, New York is bringing in a new-look unit, with the addition of Luis Robert Jr. and the departure of Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, among other changes.
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This will lead to Soto playing left field rather than right field, according to the president of baseball operations, David Stearns.
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Soto is already playing left field for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, prompting the organization to consider how viable the switch would be for the major league team.
"Over the last month or so, as (Carlos Mendoza) and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he's gonna play left field for the DR in the WBC," Stearns explained.
"As they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there. It made sense for us from a roster perspective. So we're gonna go forward with it, and everyone is on board with it.
"Not something we had really contemplated coming into the offseason, but as we've had conversations over the last month it made sense for all involved."
Soto is not a stranger to playing in left field; he played a good amount of time at the spot with the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals.
What was Soto's reaction to being moved to left field?
According to Mendoza, he called Soto to request the shift in positions.
“If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I’ll pitch,” Soto said in response.
Then Mendoza called Stearns to let him know Soto was on board, and the move was finalized as the Mets prepare for a new season.
“It just got to a point where it made more sense for us to go ahead and do it," Mendoza said.
With Soto in left and Robert in center, there will be a competition for the left outfield spot between Carson Benge, Tyrone Taylor, and Brett Baty.
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